In Brief

AIR & WATER

Deposition of Air Pollutants Pollutes Water

Though our pollution control laws are structured around different media, such as air and water, pollutants can move around and have different effects to different degrees in different parts of the environment. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) describes in a report how deposition of air pollutants can affect water quality. In addition, it shows how the media-specific approach to pollution regulation makes it difficult for the Environmental Protection Agency to address this issue.

ENERGY

Coal Here to Stay

GAO published a study of changes coming to coal-fired electrical power generation. Though aging facilities and environmental regulations will be changing it, coal is expected to remain part of the American energy portfolio.

Coal energy is an issue that demonstrates that politics is local. President Obama has faced opposition from his own party for Congressmen and Senators that represent areas that benefit from burning coal for energy (see this article from The Daily Caller).

Senate Committee Hears Navy Energy Nominee

The Senate Armed Services Committee questioned retired Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn as a nominee for Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment. Naval alternative energy programs were one of the issues of concern.

Related artice: Navy Energy Chief Likely to Be Confirmed After Smooth Hearing (Tracy, R., Wall Street Journal, July 25, 2013)

TRANSPORTATION

Government Looks at Milage Fees

IW has posted several items about the dwindling Highway Trust Fund. One idea that has been floated for raising revenues for highways is to switch from fuel taxes to fees on miles driven. GAO studied the concept for Congress. It’s report includes a review of milage fee program in several countries and pilot programs in the United States.

Google

News Brief

Bill Would Limit Water Discharge Permitting of Pesticides

Rep. Bob Gibbs (OH) introduced the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2013 (H.R. 935). The bill would limit permitting of discharges to water of pesticides approved for use under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The bill modifies provisions of that act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

Gina McCarthy Nominated for Environmental Protection Agency Administrator

President Barack Obama nominated Gina McCarthy for the post of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator. McCarthy currently heads EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. She has already received the endorsement of Sen. Barbara Boxer (CA), chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee.

LaHood Announces Plan to Leave DOT

Secretary Ray LaHood announced to the employees of the Department of Transportation (DOT) that after serving for four years in President Obama’s cabinet, he would not be staying on for the second term.  The secretary sent the following email to DOT employees across the country, informing them of his plans:

I have let President Obama know that I will not serve a second term as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation.  It has been an honor and a privilege to lead the Department, and I am grateful to President Obama for giving me such an extraordinary opportunity.  I plan to stay on until my successor is confirmed to ensure a smooth transition for the Department and all the important work we still have to do.

As I look back on the past four years, I am proud of what we have accomplished together in so many important areas.  But what I am most proud of is the DOT team. You exemplify the best of public service, and I truly appreciate all that you have done to make America better, to make your communities better, and to make DOT better.

Our achievements are significant.  We have put safety front and center with the Distracted Driving Initiative and a rule to combat pilot fatigue that was decades in the making.  We have made great progress in improving the safety of our transit systems, pipelines, and highways, and in reducing roadway fatalities to historic lows.  We have strengthened consumer protections with new regulations on buses, trucks, and airlines.

We helped jumpstart the economy and put our fellow Americans back to work with $48 billion in transportation funding from the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009, and awarded over $3.1 billion in TIGER grants to 218 transportation projects across the Nation.  We have made unprecedented investments in our nation’s ports.  And we have put aviation on a sounder footing with the FAA reauthorization, and secured funding in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act to help States build and repair their roads, bridges and transit systems.

And to further secure our future, we have taken transportation into the 21st century with CAFE Standards, NextGen, and our investments in passenger and High-Speed Rail.  What’s more, we have provided the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy with the funding and leadership it needs to prepare a new generation of midshipmen to meet our country’s rapidly-evolving defense and maritime transportation needs.

Closer to home, we also have made great strides.  In December, the DOT was recognized as the most improved agency in the entire Federal government in the 2012 “Best Places to Work” rankings published by the Partnership of Public Service.  Even more impressive, DOT was ranked 9th out of the 19 largest agencies in the government.

Each of these remarkable accomplishments is a tribute your hard work, creativity, commitment to excellence, and most of all, your dedication to our country.  DOT is fortunate to have such an extraordinary group of public servants.  I look forward to continuing to work with all of you as the selection and confirmation process of the next transportation secretary moves forward.  Now is not the time to let up - we still have a number of critical safety goals to accomplish and still more work to do on the implementation of MAP-21.  

I’ve told President Obama, and I’ve told many of you, that this is the best job I’ve ever had.  I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work with all of you and I’m confident that DOT will continue to achieve great things in the future.

Thank you, and God bless you.

You can read the original DOT news release here→.

Related posts and articles

LaHood Leaving Transportation (Infrastructure Watch, Jan. 31, 2013)

Secretary LaHood’s Legacy: Stronger, Safer Transportation Choices for All Americans (Schmitt, A., Livability Law, Jan. 30, 2013)

Transportation Secretary LaHood to leave office (Jansen, B., USA Today, Jan. 29, 2013)

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood: I’m Out (Bernstein, A., Transportation Nation, Jan. 29, 2013)

Extreme Weather Hard on Infrastructure

Hurricane Sandy highlighted the vulnerability of our infrastructure to extreme weather.  New York’s subways were severely damaged and travel to and from New England by train or airplane was delayed or cancelled.  People were without power for days, weeks for some.

This is only one example we could draw from 2012.  Extreme heat and drought troubled much of the nation this summer.

It is time to start thinking about how we live with our environment in new ways.  This is not simply a matter of climate change and the effects of human activity on climate and weather.  It is about what kind of lives we want to live, what kind of infrastructure we need to live it, what we consider acceptable in terms of infrastructure reliability, water and air quality, transportation methods and routes, locus of control, and the complex of manmade and natural systems we live in on local, regional, national and global scales.  Some are even seeing opportunities in what others are seeing as blunt problems needing heaving engineering answers.

Related posts and articles

And the Lord (Mayor) Said: Climate Change Is Real (Elliot, D., Conde Nast Traveler The Daily Traveler, June 8, 2012)

Extreme weather tough on transportation system (CBS News [Associated Press], Nov. 22, 2012)

It's not just Sandy: U.S. hit by record droughts, fires, and heatwaves in 2012 (Hance, J., Mongabay.com, Nov. 5, 2012)

US roads, airports unready for extreme weather (Lowy, J., Associated Press, Nov. 21, 2012)

In Congress

Congress rolls on, after its fashion, even when a blog pauses. Here is a summary of what our senators and representatives have been up to over the last few weeks.

Acronym Mongers Active in Legislature
The Farmers Undertake Environmental Land Stewardship Act (H.R. 3158) would set limitations for rules the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) might implement to control spills at animal feeding operations. Another bill would constrain EPA (S. 1702) would limit the agency’s regulation of emissions from stationary internal combustion engines used for electric power generation or water pumping, though it doesn’t have a clever name.

The Resources and Economic Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast Act of 2011 (H.R. 3096) would create a Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund to be funded from penalties from the Deepwater Horizon incident. The fund would support restoration efforts in the coastal states on the Gulf of Mexico. The bill would also create five centers for excellence for the study of effects of the spill and the restoration of the Gulf.

Agency Potentially Under the Ax

The EDA Elimination Act of 2011 (H.R. 3090) would repeal the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, which created the Economic Development Agency. The bill has been referred to various committees.

American Jobs Act
The American Jobs Act of 2011 (H.R. 12) rolls together a lot proposals into an omnibus, dare it be spoken, stimulus bill. A significant portion of the bill deals with employment tax relief, other tax reform and supporting education jobs and facilities. Only part of the bill deals with the kind of infrastructure we normally cover at Infrastructure Watch.

-Transportation appropriations. The bill would appropriate $39 billion to air, rail, port and highway transportation programs. In most cases, normal matching requirements would be waived.

-Infrastructure Bank. The bill incorporates the BUILD Act, the main purpose being the creation of a national infrastructure bank.

-Redevelopment. The bill appropriates $15 billion to the Department of Housing and Urban Development to make grants for the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed properties.

A version of this bill was also introduced in the Senate (S. 1660). There are several other bills intended to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

The Jobs Through Growth Act (S. 1720) would, among other things, limit EPA’s rulemaking authority and ease the way for energy exploration in the continental shelf. The Rebuild America Jobs Act (S. 1769) would fund transportation projects and create an infrastructure bank, and increase taxes on people with incomes of $500,000 or more (I wish I had that kind of problem).

Appropriations
Appropriations acts, the only thing Congress really has to do every year, are making their way through the process.

-The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (H.R. 2608) passed both houses.
-The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 (S. 1596) was introduced to the Senate.

Bill Would Suspend Requirements for Highway Projects
Rep. Randy Forbes (VA) has introduced the 414 Plan Act of 2011 (H.R. 2924). The bill would suspend several federal requirements for federal-aid highway projects and highway safety construction. The suspension would last for five years. It would also repeal several laws relating to biking and pedestrian traffic.

Coal Combustion Product Regulation
The House of Representatives passed the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act (H.R. 2273). This bill would put regulation of coal combustion products under Subpart D of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, essentially putting regulation in the hands of the states and heading off a potential determination from EPA that may have brought it under a federal regulatory program.

Congress Passes Bill to Extend Transportation Programs
Both houses have Congress have passed a bill (H.R. 2887) to extend several surface and air transportation programs through March 31, 2012. Long-term reauthorization is underway (S. 1786).

Related posts and articles
Congress of Deadlines
Congress to Take Up Transportation Bill, Infrastructure Bank
House Passes Transportation Bill

Energy Bill Has Unusual Name, Other Energy Proposals
In spite of its name, the Rebuild American Roads Act (H.R. 2983), would expedite plans for energy resource exploration and drilling in the continental shelf, especially in the Gulf of Mexico. The bills was introduced by Rep. Shelly Moore Capito (WV). The POWER Act (H.R. 2360) would make U.S. laws applicable on energy structures on the outer continental shelf.

The Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act of 2011 (H.R. 2842) would smooth the way for the development of hydropower generation projects in Reclamation water conveyances. The Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act of 2011 (S. 1775) would establish means to permit solar and wind energy projects on public lands and extend existing geothermal development programs.

Missouri River Priorities Contested
Rep. Sam Graves (MO) has introduced a bill (H.R. 2993) that would strike wildlife protection as priority for the Corps of Engineers’ Missouri River management plan and make flood control the top priority. S. 1795 would direct the Corps to address flood control specifically by increasing storage.

National Infrastructure Bank Bill
Sen. Sherrod Brown (OH) has introduced the National Infrastructure Bank Act of 2011 (S. 1550). The bank would be board-governed and make loans and loan guarantees of up to half the project cost to public sponsors of a variety of infrastructure projects. The bill would authorize appropriations of up to $5 billion annually through 2015 to capitalize the bank.

The American Jobs Act of 2011 (S. 1549) also includes an infrastructure bank proposal. That bill would establish the American Infrastructure Finance Authority to make loans and loan guarantees for transportation, water and energy infrastructure projects. This provision appears to be very similar to the BUILD Act.

A version of this bill was also introduced into the House of Representatives (H.R. 3259).

Related posts and articles
Calls for Infrastructure Bank Continue
Congress to Take Up Transportation Bill, Infrastructure Bank
President Proposes New Recovery Plan
President Sends Jobs Plan to Congress

Water Resources Infrastructure Bill Hits Senate
The Senate version of the Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act of 2011 (S. 1669) has been introduced. A similar bill was previously introduced in the House.

Related posts and articles
Water News: Water Resources Resilience Bill Introduced

In Congress

The Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011 (H.R. 1079) has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) and the Ways and Means Committee. The bill would extend the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and related taxes and programs.

The Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011 (H.R. 910) has been ordered reported out of committee. The bill would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from issuing rules to relating to the emission of greenhouse gases to address climate change.

The TIFIA Expansion Act of 2011 (H.R. 1123) has been referred to the House T&I Committee. The act would change provisions of the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act and extend authorization to 2015.

The Hill is reporting that Sen. John Kerry (MA) plans to introduce the BUILD Act to create a national infrastructure bank. The bill would create an authority to oversee a $10 billion fund and make loans and guarantees for large infrastructure projects.

Related posts and articles
Bill Watch - 112th Congress
Bill Would Require Public Employee Inspection of Federally-Funded Transportation Projects
BUILD Act
Energy Bills Introduced
Kerry, Hutchison Propose National Infrastructure Bank
Kerry to Introduce Bipartisan Infrastructure Bank Bill

Infrastructure in the Obama Budget

In his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama emphasized infrastructure funding. His budget proposal includes increases for transportation, especially for high-speed rail, but cuts other infrastructure programs.

Unfortunately, Infrastructure Watch doesn’t have the time to dig through the budget and analyze it. Fortunately, professional journalists, paid bloggers, and big stakeholders do. Here is a compilation of some articles from these diligent folks.

Education, Infrastructure Win in Obama Budget (Gramlich, J., Stateline, Feb. 15, 2011)

EPA Budget Proposal Focuses on Air and Climate, Cuts Water Grants (Nelson, G., & Chemnick, J., New York Times, Feb. 14, 2011)

Geithner: Infrastructure Bank Would End Bridges to Nowhere (Wall Street Journal, Feb. 9, 2011)

Grading Obama’s Budget Proposal for Food, Water and Fish (Food and Water Watch, Feb., 16, 2011)

Obama Budget has $5 Billion for Infrastructure Bank (Lambert, L., Reuters UK, Feb. 17, 2011)

Obama Budget has $556 Billion , Six-Year Transporation Plan (Crawley, J., & Lambert, L., Reuters, Feb. 14, 2011)

Obama Budget Hikes Transportation But Cuts Other Construction Programs (Ichniowski, T., & Hunter, P., Engineering News-Record, Feb. 16, 2011)

Obama’s $3.7 Trillion Budget Sets Fight in Congress (Runningen, R., & Faler, B., Bloomberg, Feb. 14, 2011)

Reconnecting America Releases Analysis of Obama Budget Proposal

Tax Hikes May Outweigh Obama Budget (Hoover, K., Portland Business Journal, Feb. 16, 2011)

Federal News in Brief

High Speed Rail Project Announced

Fifty-four high-speed rail projects in 23 states will share in $2.4 billion to continue developing America’s first nationwide program of high-speed intercity passenger rail service. The Federal Railroad Administration received 132 applications from 32 states totaling $8.8 billion, more than three times the $2.4 billion available. During the first round of awards in the fall of 2009, applicants submitted more than $55 billion in project proposals for the initial $8 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) 2009 and 2010 appropriations as well as ARRA. (See the original DOT news release here.)

Emissions Standards Proposed for Trucks, Buses
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced national standards to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve fuel efficiency of heavy-duty trucks and buses. This comprehensive national program is projected to reduce GHG emissions by nearly 250 million metric tons in the program’s first five years. The proposal and information about how to submit comments is at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations.htm and http://www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy . (See the original DOT news release here.)

Congressional Activity

BILLS INTRODUCED

S. 3736, introduced by Sen. James Inhofe (OK), would allow states to opt out of the corn ethanol portion of the renewable fuel standards of the Clean Air Act.

The Small-Scale Hydropower Enhancement Act of 2010 (H.R. 5922), introduced by Rep. Adrian Smith (NE), would exempt small hydroelectric projects (1.5 megawatts or less) from the requirements of the Federal Power Act.

BILLS REFERED TO COMMITTEE

A Roadmap for America’s Energy Future (H.R. 5899) was referred to the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. The bill would set policy related the management of mineral energy resources and investment in other energy resources.

BILLS SCHEDULED FOR DEBATE

The Economic Revitalization and Innovation Act of 2010 (H.R. 5897), makes various revisions to the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965.

The Water Resources Development Act of 2010 (H.R 5892), deals with the authorization for a host of Corp of Engineers projects and studies.

CONGRESSIONAL AGENCIES RELEASE REPORTS

Water Infrastructure Financing: Stakeholder Views on a National Infrastructure Bank and Public-Private Partnerships (Government Accountability Office, GAO-10-728)

Using Biofuel Tax Credits to Achieve Energy and Environmental Policy Goals (Congressional Budget Office)

Climate Change Legislation

GovTrack has a nice summary of the major climate change bills and where they stand. You can find it here.

Related articles and posts:
Clean Energy and Drinking Water Bills Working Way through Congress
Environmental, Energy Bills Introduced in Congress

Missouri Environment & Infrastructure Roundup

Department of Natural Resources Suffers from Low Revenues

Due to low economic activity in the state, several fee-supported funds at the Department of Natural Resources are projected to run out of money in the near future. These funds, mostly raised through permit fees, support activities related to water pollution, air pollution, solid waste and hazardous waste.

In addition, the water pollution fees will sunset if they are not reauthorized by the General Assembly. The department could seek to have the fees increased as part of the reauthorization, but this seems unlikely.

Related articles:
DNR short of funds; fees set to expire

State Gets Stimulus Funds for Railroad Improvements
Missouri was awarded $31 million for high-speed rail projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The recovery act funding will be used for three projects:-a second rail bridge over the Osage River that will eliminate delays caused by a bottleneck, plus additional crossovers that will reduce maintenance flexibility;

-a universal crossover near the Kirkwood Amtrak station that will ease the flow of passenger trains into and out of the St. Louis area; and

-safety improvements at several rail crossings, primarily west of Sedalia.

It will also fund preliminary engineering on six future improvement projects. Some of these projects are double tracks between Lee's Summit and Pleasant Hill, a passing siding at Kingsville, a grade separation at Strasburg, a passing siding extension at Knob Noster and universal crossovers - a device that allows trains to crossover to another track in either direction - at Bonnots Mill and Hermann.

Missouri won funding as part of a consortium of states that were awarded $2.6 billion of the $8 billion in ARRA funds available for high-speed rail corridor improvements. The consortium, known as the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative, includes Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

You can read the original Missouri Department of Transportation news release here.

Missouri Environment & Infrastructure Roundup

Lead Contamination Continues in Herculaneum
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 is considering a range of enforcement actions against the Doe Run Resources Corporation, now that recent tests have shown more than one-third of a group of properties situated within a mile of the company's lead smelter in Herculaneum, contain lead at levels exceeding 400 parts per million (ppm), EPA's threshold for removing and replacing such soils.Of 372 properties sampled, 129 had at least one area exceeding the 400 ppm action level for lead. A total of 104 of those 129 "action level" properties have already undergone soil remediation within the past nine years, under work previously ordered by EPA. EPA intends to work with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) to correct the problem by requiring Doe Run to implement a solution.Doe Run's facility at 881 Main Street in Herculaneum has been in operation for more than a century and is the largest smelter of its kind in the United States.

Both EPA and MDNR have taken a number of enforcement actions against Doe Run over the years, including EPA's July 2009 unilateral administrative order, directing the company to sample and test gravel driveways and surface yard soils from all homes within one mile of the smelter. Those tests, completed by a contractor hired by Doe Run, were completed last month, after which the company sent confidential letters to property owners and residents, informing them only of the test results from their respective properties. EPA received a full report of the sampling activity on October 8, 2009. A redacted copy of that report is available at www.epa.gov/region07/news_events/legal/.

See the original EPA news release here.

Stimulus Funds Aid Clean Up of Madison Co. Mine Superfund Site
EPA Region 7 has awarded a contract to an Ohio environmental firm to proceed with the cleanup of lead-contaminated soils at approximately 800 residential properties within the Madison County Mines Superfund Site in southeast Missouri. The contract is supported by more than $9.8 million in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.Environmental Quality Management, Inc., of Cincinnati, has a two-year base period with one option year, and a maximum possible award of $13,915,694, under the contract. Total ARRA funding for the contract is $9,885,000.The funding will enable EPA to proceed with the cleanup of an estimated 800 residential properties at the site over a two-year period, with additional funding to clean up 200 more residential properties in the third year of the contract.Madison County Mines Superfund Site is located in southeast Missouri near Fredericktown, in the Old Lead Belt where heavy metal mining has occurred since the early 1700s. Past mining operations have left at least 13 major tailings and chat deposits from mineral processing operations within the county. Wind and water erosion has moved the lead-contaminated material to residential surface soils, sediments, groundwater and surface water, posing threats to human health and the environment.

See the original EPA news release here.

Governor Makes Environmental & Infrastructure Nominations
Gov. Jay “Boondoggle Bridge” Nixon has announced several nominees to boards and commissions.

Jack Baker, Air Conservation Commission (reappointment) - Baker is a cattleman who was first appointed to the Air Conservation Commission in 2002 and has served as chairman and vice-chairman of the committee. He sits on the state board for the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives and has served on several cattle-related boards. Baker has received several awards and honors for his Angus cattle. His term ends Oct. 14, 2013.

Thomas B. Bradley, State Soil and Water Districts Commission - Bradley is a farmer who is currently serving his fifth term as treasurer for New Madrid County. He earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture, with a minor in geology, from Southeast Missouri State University. Bradley also has served as a member and treasurer of the New Madrid County Soil and Water District. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Aug. 15, 2012.

Steven B. Martin, Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority - Martin is the division manager for Crop Production Services for Missouri and Arkansas and has worked in the agricultural industry since 1980. He has also worked for United Agri Products Inc. and for Terra Industries in sales and management. Martin also is involved in the operation of a family farm. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending June 30, 2014.

William J. Schumake, Dam and Reservoir Safety Council - Schumake has owned Town and Country Motors in Sedalia for 42 years. He has served as director of the Sedalia Pettis County Development Corporation, the Thompson Hills Investment Corporation, and the Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center Inc. His term ends April 3, 2010.

You can read the original news release here.

Clean Energy and Drinking Water Bills Working Way through Congress

Sen. John Kerry’s (MA) conglomerate climate bill (S. 1733) is working is one of the contenders for reducing carbon emissions, pumping money into energy technologies and helping drinking water systems adapt to a drier climate. Sen. Harry Reid (NV) has introduced bill to fund water system adaptations to climate change (S. 1712), which fellow Nevadan Rep. Shelley Berkley has introduced in the House of Representatives (H.R. 3747).

Related articles and posts:
Bill Watch—111th Congress

Recovery Act and Infrastructure in the News & Elsewhere

Here is a clearinghouse of links to recent articles and posts on the how the economic stimulus package is effecting infrastructure.

Missouri Docks and Ferries Receive Stimulus Funds (Infrastructure Watch, Aug. 1, 2009)
Missouri Receives Stimulus Funds for Weatherization (Infrastructure Watch, Aug. 1, 2009)
Missouri Receives Stimulus Funds to Clean Up Petroleum Leaks (Infrastructure Watch, Aug. 1, 2009)
Missouri Receives Stimulus Funds to Reduce Diesel Emissions (Infrastructure Watch, Aug. 1, 2009)

Bill Watch—111th Congress (Infrastructure Watch, July 21, 2009)
Highway spending isn't the stimulus it was envisioned to be (Lee, D., Los Angeles Times, July 20, 2009)
STIMULUS WATCH: Neediest areas not first for money (Castro, A., Associated Press, July 19, 2009)
LaHood Defends Stimulus, Impact on Jobs (Mostrous, A., Washington Post, July 15, 2009)
Stimulus Screws Up Opportunity To Create Jobs, Save Energy (The Infrastructurist, July 15, 2009)
Road officials trying to put stimulus cash to work (Tibbits, G., Associated Press, July 14, 2009)
Recovery Act Not Very Stimulating Relative to Water Investments (Selke, J., American Water Resources Association, Water Resources Blog, July 8, 2009)
Infrastructure Economic Stimulus in the News (Infrastructure Watch, July 1, 2009)

Missouri Receives Stimulus Funds to Reduce Diesel Emissions

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $975,609 to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) for the reduction of diesel emissions. This clean diesel project intends to protect air quality in St. Louis and the Springfield area.

MoDNR is targeting fleets in St. Louis and the Springfield area. In St. Louis, 44 school buses, 10 concrete mixers and 16 heavy-duty trash trucks would be targeted through a partnership with St. Louis Clean Cities Coalition. In Springfield, MoDNR plans to partner with the Ozark Center for Sustainable Solutions at Drury University to retrofit 98 school buses and replace 13 school buses.

The funds are provided under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program (NCDC). For information on EPA’s implementation of ARRA in Region 7, visit: http://www.epa.gov/recovery.

You can read the complete EPA news release here.

Coverage of Infrastructure in Economic Stimulus

Here is a clearinghouse of links to recent articles and posts on the how the economic stimulus package is effecting infrastructure.

Companies Pretty Up Prices to Win Stimulus Projects (Cooper, M., New York Times, Apr. 14, 2009)
Economic Stimulus Funds 2000 Transportation Projects (Infrastructure Watch, Apr. 14, 2009)
President Obama to Mark Stimulus Milestone: 2,000th Transportation Project (Tapper, J., ABC News, Apr. 13, 2009)
Missouri Gets Economics Stimulus Fund for Clean Diesel Projects (Infrastructure Watch, Apr. 11, 2009)
Stimulus money means work for contractors (Proctor, C., Denver Business News, Apr. 10, 2009)
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCES $45 MILLION FOR REHABILITATING FLOOD CONTROL STRUCTURES (USDA news release, Apr. 6, 2009)
Microsoft Benefits From Stimulus Funds (CBS News, Apr. 6, 2009)

Bay Area transportation projects benefit from low bids in poor economy (Richard, G., Mercury News, Mar. 30, 2009)
Utilities getting in line for stimulus monies (AWWA Streamlines, Mar. 17, 2009)
Stimulus Spurs Road Projects, Big and Small (New York Times, Mar. 3, 2009)

Missouri Gets Economics Stimulus Fund for Clean Diesel Projects

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $1.73 million to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR). The funding can be used to support clean diesel projects and loan programs to address the nation's existing fleet of over 11 million diesel engines.

The funds provided by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 will go to MoDNR’s diesel emissions program, which allocated equal funding to all 50 states and the District of Columbia and an additional pool of money for which states, local governments, tribes and nonprofits can compete. Eligible projects include engine idling reduction and retrofit technologies, engine replacement, vehicle replacement, and clean diesel emerging technologies.

You can read the full EPA news release here.

Bill Would Limit Greenhouse Gas Considerations in Endangered Species Decisions

Sen. John Barrasso (Wyo.) has introduced a bill (S. 724) modifying the Endangered Species Act. The bill would prohibit the Secretary of Interior from considering global climate change as a natural or manmade factor affection decisions about whether species are endangered or threatened until the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency confirms that all major emitters of greenhouse gases have signed an international agreement to limit carbon emissions. Major emitters of greenhouse gases includes China, India and the United States.

Nominations for Federal Environmental and Infrastructure Posts Announced

President Barack Obama recently announced his nominees for several posts at agencies with responsibilities for infrastructure or the environment.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGYScott Blake Harris for General Counsel. Harris is Managing Partner of Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP, a Washington, D.C. law firm with nationally known telecommunications, litigation, and appellate practices. From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Harris served as the first chief of the International Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission. Before joining the Commission, he was Chief Counsel for Export Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Prior to government service, Mr. Harris was a partner at the law firm of Williams & Connolly. Mr. Harris is a magna cum laude graduate of both Brown University and Harvard Law School.

Kristina M. Johnson Under Secretary of Energy. Johnson is currently the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs of Johns Hopkins University. Previously, Johnson served as the Dean of Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering from 1999-2007 where she helped to set up interdisciplinary efforts in photonics, bioengineering and biologically inspired materials, and energy and the environment. Before that she was on the faculty of the University of Colorado, Boulder from 1985-1999 where she led an NSF Engineering Research Center and involved engineers, mathematicians, physicists, chemists and psychologists in working to make computers faster and better connected. Johnson is an electrical engineer with more than 129 US and foreign patents or patents pending. These inventions include pioneering work on liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) microdisplays and their integration into demonstration and commercial systems such as heads-up automotive displays (HUD); pattern recognition systems for cancer prescreening, object tracking and document processing; HDTV and 3D projection displays; and 3D holographic memories. She has co-founded several companies and is the author of 142 peer reviewed publications. Johnson has received several awards including the John Fritz Medal, widely considered the highest award in the engineering profession. She earned degrees from Stanford University including a Ph.D. in 1984 and both a bachelor's and a master's degree in electrical engineering in 1981.


DEPARTMENT OF INTERIORMichael L. Connor for Director, Bureau of Reclamation. Connor has more than 15 years of experience in the public sector including serving as the Counsel to the U.S. Senate and Natural Resources Committee since May 2001. As Counsel, he has negotiated and managed legislation related to water reclamation, Indian lands and energy issues. Connor also directed the Water & Power Subcommittee which has legislative oversight of the Bureau of Reclamation and the US Geological Survey. From 1993 to 2001, Connor served at the Department of the Interior as deputy director and then director of the Secretary's Indian Water Rights Office. Connor received his J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law, and is admitted to the bars of Colorado and New Mexico. He has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from New Mexico State University.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONJoseph C. Szabo for Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration. Szabo is currently the Illinois State Legislative Director for the United Transportation Union. As State Director Joe has provided vision and direction to rail safety and regulatory issues and worked with business and civic leaders in the advancement of freight and passenger rail service. Joe also serves on the Federal Railroad Administration's Rail Safety Advisory Committee participating in the development of federal regulations on rail safety. Prior to this Joe served as the Mayor of the Village of Riverdale where he managed over 100 employees and budget of $9 Million serving 15,000 residents. Joe was elected Mayor after serving ten years as a Village Trustee

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYMichelle J. DePass for Assistant Administrator for International Affairs. DePass is currently a program officer at the Ford Foundation where she manages the foundation's initiative on Environmental Justice and Healthy Communities. Her work concentrates on the environmental and social justice intersections in the United States and supporting transnational linkages that support environmental justice policies and practices. She taught federal environmental law and policy at the City University of New York, developed and administered a bi-state workforce development training program for disadvantaged youth on superfund waste sites, and served as executive director of the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance. In this position, she assisted communities and community organizations in their negotiations with government agencies, implemented advocacy campaigns and co-organized the Northeast Environmental Justice Network. Subsequently, she served as Assistant to the City Manager of San Jose, California, advising on environmental policy matters, and served as an Environmental Compliance Manager for the City of San Jose. After completing a term with the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York as a William Kunstler Racial Justice Fellow, Michelle joined the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection where she was Senior Policy Advisor to the Commissioner. In this position, she developed a framework for an Environmental Justice Order that required the use of public health data to identify communities for priority compliance, enforcement, remediation, siting and permitting action. She received a B.A. in Political Science from Tufts University, a law degree from Fordham University School of Law, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Baruch College School of Public Affairs.

Cynthia J. Giles for Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. Giles is Vice President and Director of Conservation Law Foundation's Rhode Island Advocacy Center, where she has focused on state and regional advocacy to combat climate change. From 2001 to 2005, Cynthia served as head of the Bureau of Resource Protection at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Giles worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in a variety of capacities from 1991 to 1997. From 1995-1997, she was Enforcement Director for Region 3 and developed a "results-targeted" approach to enforcement, which she has since published in a paper written for OECA. Her responsibilities included overseeing enforcement of federal laws regulating toxics and protecting air, drinking water and surface water. She also chaired a regional ozone compliance initiative, developing strategies for reducing smog-causing emissions from stationary sources. Prior to joining EPA, Giles was an Assistant United States Attorney, where she prosecuted violations of federal environmental laws. She holds a BA from Cornell University, as well as a JD from the University of California at Berkeley and an MPA from the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. She is admitted to the bar in the State of Rhode Island, U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island and State of Pennsylvania.

Gina McCarthy for Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. McCarthy is currently the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). McCarthy came to the Connecticut DEP from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where she worked on environmental issues at the state and local level for 25 years in a variety of high-ranking positions. Just prior to joining the Connecticut DEP, she served as the Deputy Secretary of Operations for the Massachusetts Office of Commonwealth Development, a "Super Secretariat" that coordinates policies and programs of that state's environmental, transportation, energy and housing agencies. In 1990, Governor Dukakis appointed McCarthy as Chair of the Council to oversee the review of a proposed hazardous waste incinerator in the Boston area.

You can read the original news releases here and here.

Air Pollution News

Bill Preventing Air Pollution Regulations on Agricultural Production Moving through Senate

Senate Bill 3741, which would exempt emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and methane from agricultural production from regulation under the Clean Air Act, has been referred to the Environment and Public Works Committee. The bill is sponsored by Sen. John Thune (South Dakota).

St. Louis-Area Fails to Meet Air Quality Standards Says Environmental Protection Agency

Last moth, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 officially notified the state of Missouri that the St. Louis metropolitan area does not meet the daily standard for fine particle pollution, also known as fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5.

Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Louis counties, along with the city of St. Louis, are included in EPA's designation for Missouri. The determination also includes the Illinois areas of Madison, Monroe and St. Clair counties, and part of Randolph County. EPA Region 5 officials will address the determination issues in Illinois.

The 24-hour fine particle standard is 35 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Fine particles can be emitted directly or form in the atmosphere from reactions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Exposure to fine particle pollution can cause serious health problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular difficulties, and premature death.

The four Missouri counties and the city of St. Louis were determined to be contributing to violations of the air quality standards in Madison County, Ill. The Clean Air Act requires the designation of all areas in violation, as well as nearby areas that contribute to the violation.
EPA closely reviewed recommendations from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) along with public comments before making its determination. The nonattainment areas include those where air monitors indicate violations of standards, and nearby areas that contribute to the violations. Missouri's DNR will be required to develop a plan and take steps to reduce the emissions that contribute to fine particle pollution.

Additional information:
EPA news release